So I have been thinking of this and have got stuck. I cannot decide if I want the go to the aero kit or not and was wondering what the thoughts are here on NAM.

Just to make things clear I do have the aero side skirts and if I decide to go ahead then I will only get the front bumper. I have a source that I am going to get the black trim from a GP for the rear. Very subtile but to me looks far better than the aero rear bumper. No matter what I will still put that black trim on the rear.

Also, I have looked at a lot of pictures of cars with both so I have been doing the research. My car is PW/B and I don't really need pictures but if you want to show them to help out then that is cool too.

Basically, my issues is I enjoy the look of the aero kit but I also like the look of a stock cooper. The aero kit give the car a more agressive track feel while the stock look gives it more of a rally look.

If I went with the kit the edge of the aero grill will be painted body color with driving lights and no stripes. If I go stock, then I may still go ahead and put the aero grill on and paint the edge. Still will have driving lights but may also get rally stripes with a red pinstripe on the edge rather than the usual white. Nothing too wild though. Just not my thing.

Here is an example of the grill from what chilipepr did:


So based on all of that and this really long post, tell me what you guys think. Remember I am more into a conservative look (which the aero kit still gives if done right) so no 3rd party kits etc. I also just don't get into splitters and such.

 

IMO, there isn't much risk---keep the old bumper cover--swap them as you please, lol. You can always sell one or the other to make some $$ back.

I stayed stock with an aftermarket lip just to be different.

 

I posted a similar response in another post but, I bought the full Aero kit and at first decided to not run the rear Aero bumper. I didn't at the time really care for it's looks. I ran with the Aero front bumper and side sills I went as far as putting the rear Aero bumper up for sale. After running this way a couple of weeks, I began to have a problem with the fact that the Aero side sills were longer than the stock side sills and didn't match up with the stock rear bumper cover with it's large black lip. It (to me) looked strange ! I decided to put the Aero bumper on and lived with it for a few weeks. Well, I soon figured that although I didn't "love" the rear Aero bumper, it just fit with the rest of the pieces so, it stayed ! I like the look much better now that the rest of my mods are completed (coilovers and full black out). I had not planed on getting the Aero kit until Mini disclosed it was no longer going to offer the Aero kit and I picked a pre painted kit from Classic Mini. Up until then, I very much enjoyed the "sleeper" look and had plan on leaving it that way. The end of story is, I'm very happy with the way Boo looks with his "full" Aero kit.

 

I say go for it!

 

Pauliekeys, yours is ones of the cars that has made me want to do it. I will admit that I do not mind the difference with the rear bumper but everyones different. I will most likely go for it but wanted some reaction. I will say that PW is one of those colors that stand out with the kit.

 

Kit it! I own a JB MCS and the only problem I'm having now is whether I want to paint the plastic trim body color or leave it as is...

 

I like the painted arch look but not on the PW. to me it makes it look like a marshmellow.

 

Marsh mellow !

JoMo's old car "The Beast" is one PW Mini that I very much liked with white arches, but his car "to me" was an exception to the rule !

I'm very happy with the the black and white contrast I went for with my car "Boo" !

 

Nice photography, seems like HDR with a 'Topgear' lens.

 

We all know who has the coolest Aero Kit....and its the blue one... Jimek's car blows Polish goat. And wait a sec...are those MY Volks? I cant see very well...I sure hope not. Dont make me come back down to LA to slap a few ho's....

 

My 2cents with aero kit or not...either way, your MINI will look nice!

But without the aero kit, IMO, you get the classic/rally race look, which I personally prefer...

Now with the aero kit, IMO you get the modern "sleek" design; low to the ground effect and ready for wind tunnel testing.

 

And you hit my dilemma right on the head. Probably going to do the kit. I just ordered the black trim from the bumper of GP so that will look better, IMHO, than the aero rear bumper.

Though that trim would look fine without the aero kit.....hhhmmmmmm.....

 

I have debated this myself for quite some time, and have finally decided that I want to get an aero front bumper for my PW/B 2004 MCS. Who sells them?

 

Best price I have found painted was Classic Mini. They are listed in the vendor section. I was quoted just over $500 for the bumper.

The whole kit, including rear bumper, can be had for around $1000. Might be worth it to find others looking for the side skirts and rear bumper and plit the price with them.

 

I say go for the aero front bumper. I'd do the rear too, but since you don't like how it looks...

I'm going to do both bumpers on my Pure Silver car, I just love them!

 

If you can afford the whole kit, I'd get it ! You might end up changing your mind about the rear Aero bumper (or not) in which case you can resell it. I'f it's a factory painted bumper you should have no problem selling it down the road ! Same with he Aero skirts which I believe you already have !

 

have thought about it and just selling the parts I don't need. Not sure if I would be able to sell the rear bumper or not. I know I wouldn't have a problem with the side skirts.

Went ahead and ordered the rear GP trim. Very low key but I like the look of it. I am not doing the inserts over top of the grill but have thought about it and painting them black.

Since I am going to do the front bumper, can't keep myself from really liking the look, I am not sure if I will do the driving lights or not. Probably fit without them and decide from there. I have a set and like how it still gives that little bit of rally throwback. Hmmm, maybe a way to keep that in there after all.

Not too sure about bonnet stripes... Maybe, maybe not. Have to see for that one. I am going to paint the lip of the grill. Like how it looks.

 

Go for the the whole Aero kit, think Morristown had them on sale.
+1 on the painted arches.

 

I had a thought which i wanted to ask on the subject of Aerokits, since i noticed the OP mentioned not using the rear Aero kit bumper, im actually thinking the same thing, on my MCS it looked strange cause it was too low in the rear and to me just didnt look right, although it does flow with the rest of the kit. My next MINI will probably be a MC and i just hate the off center exhaust cutout on the MC aero bumper. But im not sure what to about it. I was thinking of keeping the stock rear bumper and changing it to the smooth MCS bumper but keeping the black trim for the stock exhaust cut out. Or maybe getting the MCS aero bumper and figuring out a way to put in a centered exhaust.

 

I think a MC with a MCS bumper and trim for the side exit exhaust would looking good. You can easily do the center exit if you ditch the spare tire. You could still do a performance exhaust with a side exit since it will exit the side exit anyway.

I went with the GP trim since it is the same black trim with a little bit more of a flair to it.

Since I did order the bumper I will post picks once it is installed. It will take a short time since the lead time for the bumper from the factory is to 4 weeks.